Common Council

Sifting and Reckoning Opening: Acknowledging UWs Past, Paving a Better Future

On September 12th, the Chazen Art Museum opened the Sifting and Reckoning exhibit of UW-Madison's history of exclusion and resistance. The exhibit is a result of the UW-Madison Public History project's three years of researching, listening, and educating the public on the less savory aspects of UW history. The exhibit is SO GOOD!! I strongly encourage anyone who is in any capacity affiliated with the UW system to check out the exhibit at the Chazen. If you can make it to the exhibit in person, you can also check out the virtual exhibit here. 

On a personal note, the exhibit at long last made me feel seen and heard by this university. I have the past two years of my undergraduate career getting cock-blocked by UW administrators and its affiliates. Myself and my co-conspirators have been chastised, belittled, gaslighted, and even called "disgraceful" for our advocacy work. I often feel in my capacity as a student and an alder that I am screaming into a void about how messed up this place is. The exhibit was the first time I felt as though the work of myself and fellow advocates was acknowledged by UW-Madison. 

Acknowledgement is one thing. Action is another. I am interested in what the UW administration will do with the knowledge uncovered in the UW Public History project. The issues of exclusive continue to persist on campus. For example, UW intends to demolish housing currently occupied by latine, indigenous, and international students (Mecha de UW, Wunk Sheek, and Zoe Bayliss) without a plan to replace their housing. There was much uncovered in the exhibit and much to do to make UW the diverse, equitable, and inclusive place it should be.